MCEDC President - Chris Manheim, CEcD

Prior to accepting the position of President with the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation, Chris Manheim, CEcD had been the Vice President of Economic Development with the Elgin Area Chamber in Elgin, Illinois, since 1999. The Chamber served a population of more than 150,000 residents and 4,000 employers. His department administered the Challenge 21 public-private partnership and the daily operations of the Chamber's Economic Development Department. The Elgin Area Chamber has been recognized as one of the top economic development partnerships by Site Selection Magazine in 2002, 2003 and 2005. The Chamber's marketing effort "It's Happening Here!" was one of two overall marketing campaigns recognized in 2005 by the International Economic Development Council. Its trade show CD-Rom and casebook also received honors in 2004 from the Mid-America Economic Development Council.

From 1993 to 1999, Mr. Manheim was the Director of the Grundy Economic Development Council, a public-private partnership serving the 36,000 people of Grundy County, Illinois, 60 miles southwest of Chicago. In 1998, the GEDC research report Grundy County Quality of Life Survey, was selected as Best of Class by the American Economic Development Council. In 1997, the GEDC newsletter was recognized with a Superior rating by the American Economic Development Council. The GEDC Internet Home Page received an Excellent rating by AEDC. For 1996, the GEDC received the Marketing for Results! award from MAEDC / Blane, Canada, Ltd.

Mr. Manheim received his Masters in Political Science and Public Administration from Eastern Illinois University; his BA from Lewis University in Political Science; and earned his Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) in 1996. He completed additional graduate studies in Public Policy Analysis at The University of Illinois, Springfield, and The University of Illinois, Chicago.

Chris has been married to Wendy since 1982 and they have two children in college: Spencer, a senior at Columbia College of Chicago majoring in Marketing Communications; and Lauren, who is studying Business and Photography at Elgin Community College. Chris’ spare time is consumed by a variety of civic work and the lingering hobbies of his youth.